Longing for some hot-off-the grill meat? Then head to Kohan Japanese Restaurant, the University Village sushi spot that features entrees grilled by chefs on a Japanese-style teppan grill (like Benihana, but the tossing and grilling is done in an exhibition kitchen, not at the table), to check out the new DIY option. Owners expanded west, adding a second dining room fitted with semi-private dining and seven tables with built-in gas grills, plus they added yakiniku, the Japanese version of Korean barbecue to the menu. We ordered the kalbi; staffers delivered a platter of bone-in and boneless raw marinated beef short ribs, plus fresh veggies and a variety of panchan, accompaniments like pickled radish and kimchi ($19.95 per person; two order minimum). Don’t worry if you’re a tabletop novice; helpful staffers got us started and offered advice on how to heat-and-eat (if you’re really skittish, the chefs will cook it in the kitchen). For now the only self-cook option is kalbi; they’re waiting for the liquor license (which should arrive around September 5) to debut the full menu of grill-able options like ribeye and filet mignon. Bonus: If you’re heading elsewhere after dinner; the tabletop grill tables are fitted with individual exhaust systems so we left smelling Downey fresh.

Trendy's not been so good for restaurants lately. Two weeks ago, tricked-out tapas spot Del Toro in Wicker Park closed not quite a year and a half after opening . The reason? Business was good, say owners, but just not quite good enough. The solution: Close. Reconcept. Reopen. (Sort of like what they did with the Mod space that last occupied the space). No word on when the new spot will open. Now we hear  Boystown's X/O Chicago is going to have a similar fate. Owner Mark Liberson is being vague about the details, but he did confirm to the Extrovert that he's planning to close this spring and reopen with a new look and new name. No word on the menu, but here's one juicy bit of gossip: Interior designer Nancy Warren will be working on the reformulated space. Liberson also hints that an entirely new spot is also in the offing.

Heads up, Roscoe Villagers: La  Mora, everyone's favorite neighborhood date place, has gotten a bit of a makeover. But owners assure us the romance hasn't gone: The old-school Italian look has just been replaced with stylish new drapes, fresh paint, and a new fireplace. The eclectic menu is about the same, but with a few upgrades: Look for a Black Angus filet ($29) and barbecue Mahi Mahi ($17)--with a "wild berry barbecue sauce". (OK, not sure what that is, but we'd like to give it a try.) Check it out on Wednesdays when you can get a glass of wine for a penny when you order an entree.